The Jaguar D-Type was built between nineteen fifty four and nineteen fifty seven, a total of three years. The D type shared the same engine design as the previous C Type Jaguar, although this was the only similarity between the two cars, with the D Type having major changes made from its predecessor. The most notable change was the monocoque chassis, which was highly innovative and drastically improved aerodynamics and efficiency, a large feat for a competitive racing car. The car originated as a competitive racing car, but once Jaguar ceased racing the D-Type was converted for public sales.
The Jaguar XKSS was the road car created from the left over D-Types. An additional seated was added to the car, a full windscreen, a passenger door, and other changes to make the car more practical for the general public.
Unfortunately for Jaguar, a fire destroyed nine of the twenty five cars which were either completed or close to completion on the twelfth of February nineteen fifty seven. The market for high performance European cars was highly profitable in that time, the main reason for converting the unused chassis into production cars to gain back some of the investment.
The design on the D-Type really mirrored that of an aircraft, with the innovative introduction of the monocoque body style. The fuel for the car was within bags within the cells of the chassis, another design aspect which mimicked that of aircraft engineering. The aircraft style like engineering was down to the work of Sayer, a former Bristol Aeroplane Company worker, who successfully brought his innovative design to the table.
From a mechanical standpoint, the D-Type shared many attributes with that of the previous C-Type. The engine was unchanged, and the disc brakes kept. The major changes came from the work of Sayer, who managed to make the car much more aerodynamic and efficient. The body style was so successful the Jaguar E-Type maintained many features as the successor of the legendary D-Type.
Bonhams auction sold a first factory production D-Type for £2.2m in the summer of 2008 at their popular auctions.
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